Basically I would like it SW first went to my desktop every time I open a new file. Not to the network, that can force me to wait several minutes every time I do so, even when the files I want are on my computer.

SolidWorks normally remembers that last folder accessed. So place an empty part on your desktop. Double click on it to open it. Create you new part. Then do a save as. It should default to your desktop.

I tried that and found inconsistent results in testing, so I canceled a reply saying about the same. The issue that I found is that SWx would remember last opened and last saved locations separately, or mixed context when multiple files in multiple locations were active.

Thanks Habib Ghalamkari for answering this. After getting stumped in trying to help, I was interested in the right answer.

the file locations tab is the right place to go. Did not know that you could set a default save folder. That must be a 2019 function. that would be great if I can add multiple paths for different file types. As I have drawing that go one place and all the parts and assemblies go in folders in another location.

As I have drawing that go one place and all the parts and assemblies go in folders in another location.

I always keep a component and its drawing in the same folder. This way if I right click a component/assembly in the feature tree, I can select Open Drawing and work on its drawing.

What will happen if a part and it's drawing are in two different directories? Does Solidworks keep track of the drawing path for each component? Can you right click and open a part drawing straight from feature tree?

if keeping everything in one folder works for you go for it. I got this crazy system here that works for these people I just have to learn it and love it or move on to the next place and right now I am tired of moving.

There was a time, 2008, 2009, where I had all my parts on the computer. where the search commands is on version 2018 I would be able to start typing in a part # or a drawing # and was able to find what I was looking for quickly.

then the File explorer tab was kind of nice too.

Seems like I always had a different part # scheme and drawing # thing that make it where using the same file name was not something that I could do. I think it was around that time that I did put the drawings and the parts and assemblies all in the same place.

It made it easier to copy a folder to another and then make changes for the new product, that the show was going to be making. Excel was the file management and drawing management tool of the day also. Links to pdf's that were approved.....